Programmatic Media Buyer Salary in the United States

How much does a Programmatic Media Buyer make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Programmatic Media Buyer in the United States is $68,283 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

However, a Programmatic Media Buyer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,271
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,255 to $71,941
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $56,766
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View as table View as graph 25% $62,255 10% $56,766 90% $75,271 75% $71,941 $68,283 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Programmatic Media Buyer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $71,941 $5,995 $1,383 $35
Average $68,283 $5,690 $1,313 $33
25th Percentile $62,255 $5,188 $1,197 $30
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Key Factors That Influence Programmatic Media Buyer Salaries

A Programmatic Media Buyer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Programmatic Media Buyer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Programmatic Media Buyer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $57,575
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $69,539
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $90,126
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $118,427
  • Expert (over 8 years): $103,992
Levels Salary
Media Pla... Level Programmatic Media Buyer$57,575
Programma... Level Programmatic Media Buyer$69,539
Media Pla... Level Programmatic Media Buyer$90,126
Media Pla... Level Programmatic Media Buyer$118,427
Media Sup... Level Programmatic Media Buyer$103,992
$57,575 0 yr
$69,539 < 2 yrs
$90,126 2-4 yrs
$118,427 5-8 yrs
$103,992 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Programmatic Media Buyers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $86,126
  • San Francisco: $85,183
  • Oakland: $83,388

What Skills Can Increase a Programmatic Media Buyer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 17.01% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 2.55% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
  • Campaign Management (Mentioned in 1.33% Job Postings): Planning, tracking and analyzing of all the marketing initiatives to increase the quality of our business's strategies.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 17.01%
PowerPoint 2.55%
Campaign Management 1.33%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Programmatic Media Buyer's salary.
  • Customer Relationship Management: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • RFP: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Customer Relationship Management
$74,429
9%
Leadership
$73,063
7%
RFP
$72,380
6%
Innovation
$72,380
6%
B2C
$71,697
5%
Relationship Management
$71,697
5%
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How Education impacts a Programmatic Media Buyer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Programmatic Media Buyers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Programmatic Media Buyer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $66,586 and $72,356).

Programmatic Media Buyer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Programmatic Media Buyer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 1.2%
Associates 2.1%
Bachelors 85.4%
Masters 10.5%
Doctorate 0.1%
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Programmatic Media Buyer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Programmatic Media Buyer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Programmatic Media Buyer

Salaries for a Programmatic Media Buyer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $73,810 in 2023 to around $73,938 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Programmatic Media Buyer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Programmatic Media Buyer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$73,810
2024
$74,361
2025
$73,938
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
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2023 $73,810
2024 $74,361
2025 $73,938
2026
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2027
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Most common benefits for Programmatic Media Buyer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Programmatic Media Buyer

Here are companies hiring for Programmatic Media Buyer and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Programmatic Media Buyer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Programmatic Media Buyer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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